A RARE GOLD LACQUER KOBAKO DEPICTING VARIOUS SWORD FITTINGS (TOSOGU)Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The rectangular box and cover with rounded edges bearing a fine gold fundame ground and decorated on all sides in iro-e takamaki-e and hiramaki-e imitating metal inlays of various sword fittings. Two large tsuba showing scenes of a temple visit to the Nara Todai-ji temple are featured on the cover, the two shorter sides show gold menuki of carps, and the two longer sides show a kogai with horse design surmounted by a Buddhist lion (shishi) and a kozuka with dragon design surmounted by an ornately crafted kabuto (helmet). The interior and underside of nashiji.SIZE 6.4 x 13.9 x 10.5 cmCondition: Good, worn condition with some scattered losses to lacquer, some discoloration, scattered chips, and dents, particularly along the edges.Provenance: US private collection. Notes RefButton4